MYRRH GUM

📋 Quick facts

Description: MYRRH GUM — fragrance.

All Functions: fragrance

Quick Facts:

• Category: fragrance

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Myrrh gum comes from Commiphora plants native to southern Arabia
• Water-based myrrh extracts showed antifungal activity against multiple Candida yeast species in lab testing
• Myrrh contains 19 identified chemical compounds, 12 of which have known antimicrobial properties
• In a small clinical trial, myrrh sitz baths appeared to support episiotomy wound healing faster than saline alone
• More human studies are needed before myrrh can be considered for medical applications

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Myrrh gum is a traditional ingredient with emerging scientific interest. Here’s what current research shows: #1: Antifungal potential — Water-based extracts from two myrrh species (Commiphora myrrha and Commiphora molmol) inhibited growth of five common Candida yeasts in lab tests, including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. neoformans (Ann Agric Environ Med, 2024). The extract contained 19 chemical compounds total, with 12 identified as having antimicrobial properties, though the study notes that the exact mechanisms remain unclear and further research is needed before clinical use. #2: Structural benefits in formulations — When myrrh gum was incorporated into composite films (alongside other ingredients like carboxymethyl cellulose), it improved the mechanical properties of the material, and the resulting films showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in food packaging applications (Int J Biol Macromol, 2024).

This suggests myrrh has stabilizing properties in formulations, though this study focused on food preservation rather than skincare. #3: Wound healing support — A small clinical trial of 60 women found that sitz baths with myrrh hydro-alcohol extract showed faster episiotomy wound healing compared to saline on days 3, 7, and 10 post-delivery, with improvements in redness, wound edge approximation, and discharge (J Family Reprod Health, 2019). The limitations are significant: this is a single small trial in a specific wound context, not skincare application. Overall, myrrh shows promise in lab and limited clinical settings, but researchers emphasize that safety, toxicity, and efficacy require further investigation before broader applications.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Alabdalall AH (2024). Antifungal activity of Myrrh gum resin against pathogenic Candida spp. Ann Agric Environ Med.
• Eshaghi R et al. (2024). Bio-nanocomposite active packaging films based on carboxymethyl cellulose, myrrh gum, TiO(2) nanoparticles and dill essential oil for preserving fresh-fish (Cyprinus carpio) meat quality. Int J Biol Macromol.
• Sarbaz Z et al. (2019). The Effect of Sitz Bath of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Myrrh Gum on Episiotomy Wound Healing in Nulliparous Women. J Family Reprod Health.

🧴 Products Containing MYRRH GUM